Last verified: 10 days ago
Zinc
Also known as: zinc acetate, zinc sulfate, zinc gluconate, zinc oxide, zinc phosphate, zinc-L-carnosine, polaprezinc, Zn
Evidence under review. — Not yet rated
Essential mineral with clinical support for gut health, diarrhea treatment, and immune function.
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What it does
Zinc is an essential trace mineral found in every cell of the body. The provided studies show it helps reduce the duration and severity of acute diarrhea in children, with 20 mg/day being the...
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Evidence quality
Evidence base hasn't been formally rated yet. See research below.
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Clinical dose
10-20 mg/day based on study doses
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Found in
1st Phorm Opti-Greens 50, Porefavor, Garden of Life Vitamin Code Men's Multi and 17 more
What the Science Says
Zinc is an essential trace mineral found in every cell of the body. The provided studies show it helps reduce the duration and severity of acute diarrhea in children, with 20 mg/day being the standard dose and 10 mg combined with probiotics showing comparable results with better tolerability. Zinc-L-carnosine, a specialized form, has shown effectiveness for infant reflux and gut mucosal protection. Zinc status also appears linked to cardiovascular outcomes in heart attack patients.
What It Doesn't Do
Not proven to treat cancer — nanoparticle studies are lab-only and nowhere near human use. Won't cure parasitic infections on its own based on available data. No evidence from these studies that it builds muscle or boosts testosterone. Zinc in toothpaste reduces tartar but won't replace brushing or dental care.
Evidence-Based Benefits
20 mg/day zinc reduces duration of acute watery diarrhea in children; 10 mg plus probiotics works nearly as well with fewer side effects.
Moderate EvidenceEffective at: 10-20 mg/day
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Zinc-L-carnosine reduces regurgitation symptoms in infants as effectively as thickened formula.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: Per Hepilor liquido formulation (study dose not fully specified)
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Toothpaste with zinc phosphate and stannous fluoride reduces tartar buildup by 34% compared to standard fluoride toothpaste.
Moderate EvidenceEffective at: Topical — 0.454% stannous fluoride stabilized with zinc phosphate
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Low serum zinc levels are associated with worse outcomes in heart attack patients after emergency stenting.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: No established supplementation dose from this study
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Absorption & Bioavailability
Moderate — absorption varies by form; zinc acetate and zinc gluconate are generally better absorbed than zinc oxide; high-dose iron supplementation may compete with zinc absorption
Red Flags to Watch For
- High-dose zinc (20 mg/day) caused vomiting in 85% of children in one diarrhea study — nausea is a common side effect at standard doses
- Iron supplementation without dietary optimization was shown to impair zinc status in young children — combining minerals without dietary context may backfire
- Zinc nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) marketed for cancer or antimicrobial use have no human clinical trial data — these are experimental lab findings only
- Excess zinc can interfere with copper absorption — long-term high-dose supplementation without monitoring is risky
Products Containing Zinc
See how Zinc is used in these analyzed products:
1st Phorm Opti-Greens 50
Porefavor
Garden of Life Vitamin Code Men's Multi
Key Nutrients Electrolyte Recovery Plus Powder
Supplement
Vital Hair, Skin and Nails (30's)
Supplement
Augustinus Bader The Hair Revitalizing Complex
Supplement
SlimFast High Protein Shakes
Weight Loss
Viva Naturals Fish Oil, Triple-Strength Omega-3
Supplement
Nature's Bounty Immune 24 Hour Plus
Supplement
Hollyhillvitamins
Supplement
Dr. Berg Magnesium Glycinate with Vitamin D3
Supplement
Halo Beauty Hair Skin Nails Booster
Supplement
Medino
Supplement
NOW Zinc Glycinate 120 Softgels
Supplement
Beyond Collagen Powder Sachets
Supplement
NOW Zinc Picolinate 50mg
Supplement
Physician's Choice Digestive Enzymes
Supplement
OMI Hair Growth Peptides Gummies
Supplement
Smartvita Men's Total Synergy Multivitamins
Supplement
Thorne Basic Nutrients 2/Day
Supplement
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Zinc do?
Essential mineral with clinical support for gut health, diarrhea treatment, and immune function.
What is the effective dose of Zinc?
10-20 mg/day based on study doses
Is Zinc safe?
High-dose zinc (20 mg/day) caused vomiting in 85% of children in one diarrhea study — nausea is a common side effect at standard doses
What doesn't Zinc do?
Not proven to treat cancer — nanoparticle studies are lab-only and nowhere near human use.
Research Sources
- PubMed
- NIH DSLD
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen. Last updated: 2026-06-01